PSNH giving $40K to help illuminate new Memorial Bridge

PORTSMOUTH — Public Service Co. of New Hampshire has seen the light, announcing Tuesday it is contributing $40,000 toward the illumination of the new Memorial Bridge.

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By Deborah McDermott

seacoastonline.com

By Deborah McDermott

Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Deborah McDermott

Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — Public Service Co. of New Hampshire has seen the light, announcing Tuesday it is contributing $40,000 toward the illumination of the new Memorial Bridge.

With the pledge, more than $100,000 has been raised toward the $200,000 goal of installing energy-efficient lighting on towers and along the deck of the new bridge, which is expected to be open to traffic this summer.

The public/private project is also being watched carefully by state transportation officials across the country, who are looking for innovative ways to stretch dollars, said N.H. Transportation Commissioner Chris Clement.

"This could be a model for the future," he said. "Nationwide, revenues for states' roads and bridges are being cut. This kind of partnership with the business community is really great."

In announcing the donation Tuesday at the Strawbery Banke Visitors Center, PSNH Division Manager Rich Chagnon said the utility sees the merit of the bridge illumination.

"The donation represents our commitment to the community," he said. "We know the bridge will become an icon for many years to come."

Chagnon said he hoped the donation would, in turn, spur "other companies in the Seacoast to donate as well."

Time is of the essence, however, said Rose Eppard of the Memorial Bridge Project bridge illumination committee, which has been raising funds for the project.

"Now that PSNH has made this generous donation, we're going to be looking at other businesses and industries to help close the gap," she said.

The wiring for the lights needs to be installed by the time construction is completed on the bridge's second tower, sometime in mid- to late May, said N.H. DOT Project Manager Keith Cota.

The first tower is being built now. The two towers are placed on either side of the center lift span and allow it to be raised and lowered for maritime traffic. The plan is to have the lights installed at the top of the two towers.

Eppard said the committee wants to raise at least $150,000 by that spring deadline, which will cover the cost of illuminating the two towers and the deck. The remaining $50,000 would be used to illuminate under the center span as it is raised, but that part of the project would be dropped depending on the outcome of fund-raising, she said.

Last Friday night, the group held a "test lighting," placing a light-emitting diode light at the corner of the south fixed span. The light is similar to the ones that will be used on the bridge.

"We wanted to see what the bridge would look like," Eppard said. "The light caught the edges of the bridge. It was really quite pretty."

Committee chairman Peter Somssich said the committee has hired Montreal-based company Lumenpulse to install the lighting. Once the two towers are up, the company is expected to conduct a demonstration of the lighting "so people can see what it will look like."

He also said the group will continue holding a number of public meetings in the next several months to explain the project to Seacoast residents.

For information or to make a donation, e-mail Eppard at eppard@usa.net.